Philosophy, Politics and International Relations (BA)

Our aim is to support you to become an independent, creative and critical thinker.

First-year teaching provides carefully structured support through lectures and seminar discussions, helping you develop key skills and gain confidence. Seminars give you the opportunity to ask questions and discuss key ideas in a small-group environment. This helps you bring together the information and ideas you receive in lectures and readings, and explore issues critically and in depth.

As your studies progress, you’ll learn through guided independent reading, smaller interactive workshops and seminars, and discussions of new research with internationally recognised academics working in that area.

You’ll have access to course materials through our electronic learning environment.

In this supportive environment, you’ll develop your ability to analyse texts and arguments closely, work through problems with others, construct your own original arguments, and present your ideas clearly.

How will I be supported?

Your main sources of support are your module leaders and personal tutors. You’ll have one personal tutor in philosophy and one in politics.

Personal tutors can advise you on academic matters, including study skills, careers and academic progress, as well as pastoral matters. You’ll be invited to meet your personal tutor regularly throughout the degree. They’ll also provide a first point of contact if you experience any difficulties. Welsh-speaking students can request a Welsh-speaking personal tutor.

Module leaders hold drop-in sessions during teaching weeks, where you can ask questions about course materials or assessments.

You’ll have access to specialist academic writing support, including online materials, workshops and one-to-one meetings about academic writing.

You’ll also use Learning Central, the University’s virtual learning environment, as part of your learning.

Our professional services teams can provide academic and student support, and can help with information and guidance if you have any queries. The University's range of support services and events are also available to help you plan your career, manage your emotional, mental and physical health, support you with financial issues and provide assistance for students with disabilities are also available to you. These services are co-located at the Centre for Student Life.

You’ll receive regular feedback as you move through your degree. Oral feedback in lectures, workshops and seminars will help you assess your understanding of course material and your critical responses to it.

You’ll receive formative comments on essay ideas and detailed feedback on marked coursework. If you undertake a dissertation module, you’ll receive regular feedback on your project from your supervisor.

How will I be assessed?

The programme structure progressively develops your academic study and independent research skills.

Your assessments will help you develop key skills in communication, collaboration, critical thinking and reflection. Assessment methods include critical analyses of texts and primary documents, briefings, essays, exams, quizzes, presentations, group discussion assessments, and reflective assessments of your own skills.

Optional modules can offer a wider variety of assessments, including writing for a public audience or commenting on artwork or a media piece.

In your final year in philosophy, you’ll take part in a large collaborative project that involves writing and presenting for a professional audience.

What skills will I practise and develop?

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will achieve by the end of your programme at Cardiff University and identify the knowledge and skills that you will develop. They will also help you to understand what is expected of you.

On successful completion of your Programme you will be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:

• Critically evaluate some of the central theories and arguments, and their applications, in moral, social, or political philosophy.
• Critically evaluate some of the central theories and arguments, and their applications, in epistemology, philosophy of language, or philosophy of mind.
• Critically analyse theories and arguments from contemporary philosophical work, including intersections of different areas of philosophy or interdisciplinary research.
• Apply philosophical research by drafting policy or strategy documents, or action recommendations, in response to a real-world ethical or social problem of contemporary societal concern.
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of core concepts and theories in both politics and international relations. Examples of these concepts and theories include sovereignty, power, governance, justice, human rights, and diplomacy.
• Analyse the evolution and functions of various political institutions across a range of settings.
• Examine how globalisation and transnational issues (e.g., climate change, migration, terrorism) influence both domestic and international political agendas.
• Demonstrate an understanding of political and policy-making processes and their impacts both within individual states and/or the international relations between states and non-state actors.

Intellectual Skills:

• Explain complex and specialised philosophical and political claims and arguments.
• Construct arguments that support a claim in response to philosophical or political questions.
• Apply standard techniques of critical analysis to evaluate philosophical or political claims and arguments.
• Employ relevant and effective research techniques.

Professional Practical Skills:

• Communicate complex information, concepts, and arguments to both specialist and non-specialist audiences in different formats appropriate to different purposes.
• Utilise appropriate digital media effectively as a source of information, a means of communication, and an aid to learning.
• Contribute in a collaborative manner to discussions and team projects.
• Demonstrate an awareness of the ethical considerations and challenges faced in philosophical, political and international relations research and practice.
• Articulate and evaluate your own academic and professional skills.

Transferable/Key Skills:

• Respond to problems creatively, critically and independently.
• Implement task instructions and manage workload effectively to meet deadlines.
• Develop intercultural awareness and communication skills by engaging with diverse philosophical and political viewpoints and perspectives from around the world.
• Deliver and act on constructive feedback.